Definition of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Therapy
In the cognitive therapists’ view, a person’s thoughts determine his or her emotions, and therefore, his or her personality. They consider dysfunctional attitudes, depressive assumptions, or ‘maladaptive thoughts’ to be the cause of human problems. Some therapists call these irrational beliefs.
A client’s cognitions, or thinking patterns, are identified in counselling. The goal of treatment is to change how individuals perceive themselves, others, and the world.
Behavioural Therapy
Behaviourists believe that personality and behaviours are learned. This includes the responses we have to situations. These are learned from the experiences we have in our life.
Behaviour therapists work with clients using different techniques and homework assignments to give new experiences to learn from. New behaviours are learned.
Cognitive Therapy is often used in conjunction with Behaviour Therapy.
References:
Heffner, C.L. (2002) Personality Synopsis. Available at:
http://allpsych.com/personalitysynopsis/cognitive_application.html
Prochaska, J.O. and Norcross, J.C. (2003). Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Model (Fifth Edition). Pacific Grove, Brooks/Cole.